The Hon Tony Abbott MP

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03 March 2015

The Government has decided to commence the preparation and training of a force to contribute to the international Building Partner Capacity (BPC) mission in Iraq.
This decision marks the next phase of Australia’s contribution to the international coalition to disrupt, degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL, or Daesh, and follows requests for our participation from the Iraqi and United States Governments.

The Commonwealth will allocate $120,000 over two years to support women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds through our court system.
As a result of uncertainties regarding the law in Australia or of their rights to assistance, CALD women can find their interactions with the legal system daunting and difficult to navigate.

27 February 2015

Today the Commonwealth Government has announced additional assistance to the communities of Queensland suffering the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Marcia.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance is now available to eligible employees, primary producers and sole traders in the Fitzroy and Wide Bay-Burnett districts.
Tropical Cyclone Marcia has affected many individuals, including people’s ability to earn a living. The Disaster Recovery Allowance is designed to provide a helping hand to those who have lost income as a result of this devastating event so they can get back on their feet.

25 February 2015

The appointment of Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb AC has been extended to the end of 2015.
The Government is pleased Professor Chubb has agreed to continue as Australia’s Chief Scientist until the end of the year to continue his important work in advising on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which is a priority under the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda.

This week I go to New Zealand for the annual Australia-New Zealand leaders’ meeting. Australia and New Zealand are family thanks to shared history, deep integration and the ability to work seamlessly together.
On 27-28 February, Prime Minister John Key and I will discuss a range of bilateral and international issues, including combating terrorism, foreign fighters and the situation in Iraq.

The Commonwealth Government will take action to strengthen Australia’s foreign investment framework for residential real estate and agriculture.
Australia’s foreign investment policy for residential real estate is designed to increase Australia’s housing stock. This policy remains appropriate, but a lack of compliance and enforcement of the rules over recent years is threatening the integrity of the framework.
We need to make sure that all foreign investors are following the rules, and that those foreig investors who break the rules are not able to profit from breaking the law.

23 February 2015

The Government has released the Review of Australia’s Counter-Terrorism Machinery today. The Review found that Australia has entered a new, long-term era of heightened terrorism threat, with a much more significant ‘home grown’ element. It assesses that the terrorist threat in Australia is rising. On all metrics, the threat to Australia is worsening. The number of foreign fighters is increasing, the number of known sympathisers and supporters of extremists is increasing, and the number of potential terrorists, including many who live in our midst, is rising as well.

22 February 2015

The Commonwealth Government and the Government of New South Wales have released the Martin Place Siege Joint Commonwealth – New South Wales Review. Both governments accept all of the review’s recommendations in full. The Martin Place siege on 15 and 16 December last year was both an atrocity and a tragedy. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson. And we commend the bravery of everyone who was caught up in that ordeal, including the police and emergency services.

21 February 2015

Disaster assistance has been activated in response to Tropical Cyclone Lam through the jointly-funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
This assistance is being provided in the local government areas of East Arnhem and West Arnhem.
Financial assistance under the NDRRA includes personal hardship and distress assistance for people impacted by a natural disaster and funding to help local councils restore damaged essential public assets.